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Easton resident Nathan Tyson ’04, a double major in civil engineering and geology, is mapping the bedrock topography of Northampton County as part of an intensive summer-long research project at Lafayette.
A participant in Lafayette’s EXCEL Scholars program, Tyson is working with Roger W. Ruggles, associate professor and head of civil and environmental engineering. In EXCEL, students assist faculty with research while earning a stipend.
“I’m hoping this will lead to many further investigations of both the structural and environmental aspects of the underground,” says Tyson. “Such projects could include advanced hydrological studies, sinkhole studies, and studies on rock structure mechanics.
“The idea for the project was developed without much thought as to how to do it. But, after much research, I developed an idea that simplified the project. My idea was to gather drilling data from water well drilling logs, construction drilling logs, and any other sources available.”
One challenge for Tyson was learning Geographic Information System software. He has since mastered the system and assembled an extensive database for the county. He is currently facing the challenge of gathering water well stratigraphy data.
Tyson is now entering data from test borings done for construction on Lafayette’s campus to fill out his underground map. He will use Pennsylvania Department of Transportation drilling logs from construction of the new Route 33 extension to further enhance his depiction.
His research may lead to innovations in subsurface scanning procedures and help make high-resolution 3-D renderings available to students. “The future of this field is certainly intriguing,” he adds.
Tyson says the work has been challenging, but Professor Ruggles “has always been there when I needed advice or support.”
“I have had a great experience at Lafayette,” he notes. “I have had the opportunity to get involved in campus activities, to travel on several occasions, and now I’m doing research — and I’m only going into my junior year.”
A graduate of Easton Area High School, Tyson is a member of American Society of Civil Engineers and Lafayette’s Concrete Canoe team, which finished just one point shy of first place this spring among seven schools competing in the Pennsylvania-Delaware Region of the 2002 National Concrete Canoe Competition. He also supervises rock climbing at Kirby Sports Center.
Nate Tyson ’04 worked with Roger Ruggles, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering, on an EXCEL Scholars project to map the bedrock topography of Northampton County.